Community calls for Closure of Illegal Mines

Illegal mining and unrehabilitated mining dumps have become a major threat to the safety and health of residents in the Langlaagte area.

Members of the community forum have identified two additional illegal mining sites, one of which is located near a public school, TC Esterhuysen Primary along Main Reef Road.

The situation has left teachers, parents and students in fear for their lives.

Speaking on the matter, Joel Mohale, a teacher at TC Esterhuysen Primary, expressed his concern for the children who witness the violent shootings that occur during school breaks.

“We are dealing with more than a thousand learners and it is not fair for the children coming to school to see the dead bodies of zama-zamas when they chase each other, shooting during school break.

They use very powerful firearms that even our SAPS acknowledge they cannot match.”

He also highlighted the toxic dust that worsens during windy months, and the impact it has had on his health and the health of his colleagues.

Advocate Gumede, who was present during the oversight visit on Friday, 17 March 2023, assured the community that his office will be involved in the conversation alongside other role players.

“As the City we are concerned about lives and the effect of environmental impact especially to children.

We are going to need you as the Community Forum to work with us going forward.

We also intend to give feedback to the community together with your ward councilor,” said Cllr Phillips.

The community has called on the government to allocate a budget towards the closure and rehabilitation of mining shafts in the area.

They believe that this will help to reduce the number of illegal miners in the area and subsequently reduce the violence associated with illegal mining.

“We always live in fear,” said Ishmael van Wyk, one of the Riverlea Community Forum members.

He added that they hear the sound of gunfire every day for at least two hours around 8pm, and witness dead bodies of locals or zama-zamas almost every week.

Mr. Mohale believes that rehabilitating the mining dumps and planting trees could significantly reduce the toxic dust in the area, and suggested that the space could be used for sporting facilities.

He welcomed the City leadership’s involvement in the matter and hopes that they will be successful in addressing the community’s concerns.

In conclusion, the illegal mining and unrehabilitated mining dumps in the Langlaagte area pose a serious threat to the safety and health of residents.

The community is calling on the government to take action and allocate a budget towards the closure and rehabilitation of mining shafts.

Meanwhile, the City leadership has assured the community of their commitment to finding a solution to the problem.